How to Get a Landscape Architect License

Landscape architects who get a state license improve their career potential. Getting a license requires a certain level of experience in landscape architecture or graduation from an accredited educational course. Applicants must also pass the LARE exam.

While it is true that individuals may work as a landscape architect without a license, they generally must perform their work while supervised by a licensed professional in landscape architecture. The other major reason to get a license is the ability to get a job. If an opening comes down to a licensed landscape architect and one with training or experience but no license, the one with the license is more likely to get the job.

States have their landscape architecture board and decide their own rules for a getting a state landscape architecture license. However, they typically have standards the same or similar to the eligibility standards of the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards.

The CLARB has several paths to qualification for its LARE exam, and states generally issue a license to those who qualify and then pass the exam. Note, however, that there may be moral or ethical issues that prohibit an applicant from getting a state license as a landscape architect.

There are accredited educational degree programs for landscape architecture. Graduation from one of these is enough even without experience to sit for the LARE exam and get licensed (at least in some states). With a general degree in architecture, then one year of supervised experience is enough. The same is true for any accredited degree in engineering.

If the applicant graduates from a non-accredited degree course in landscape architecture, he must also have one year of supervised experience. Finally, holders of any bachelor's degree must have three years of experience to qualify for the exam and a landscape architect license.

For tips on the LARE exam and how to qualify for a license, visit the links below on the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards website. Always remember to first contact your state board to get the exact procedure for landscape architecture licensing.